US National Christmas tree falls

[Tom Dunlap]

The tree fell because of the winds it seems. Take a look where it fractures. What does that look like?

The White House Christmas tree is the cut one that goes inside, this one was planted and growing outside. The article says it was 48 years old. I kind of think that it was transplanted 48 years ago though.

Scroll down and watch the chipping crew from the National Park Service do the cleanup. Where do they get the hard hats shaped like baseball caps? I know there are cowboy hats that are certified hard hats.

National Christmas tree

 

[jeffswede]

Obviously not a production crew.

 

[UrbanTC]

Sad she had to go. I am soooooo glad we don't use chippers!!!!

 

[treewhitelock]

There look to be something in the xylem causing discoloration that may have compromised the structural integrity. I live an hour or so away from D.C. and the wind was fierce!!

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

one guy wearing PPE...Figures

 

[BostonBull]

What do you think the total cost for removal, disposal, and stump grinding were? Federal job on white house lawn, I would hazard a guess in the $3000-$4000 range?

 

[chewbacca]

I think you're low.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

From the look of the uniforms they're National Park Service employees. In that case it is just wages, no cost.

No difference in cost to the taxpayer between NPS employees doing the tree work and the Blue Angels doing a fly over at the Super Bowl...except that the Super Bowl was played inside a covered stadium!

 

[boreality]

Is there a certified arborist on staff on the white house grounds? You'd have to hope so. If there isn't it may need some of our lobbying. Or even better a contract private tree service with certification.

 

[unatool]

I have alwaya wondered the same thing. You would have to assume that every (old large) tree on the white house grounds has been hit with a resistograph. Can't have any trees blow over on the man, right?
Maybe they just let the parks service guys (in baseball hats) trim off the deadwood and the suckers growing infront of the security camera's?

 

[boreality]

I don't think the resistograph is a good solution to tree evaluation, unless it's a last option prior to a chainsaw. It is invasive. A rubber hammer and an ear is pretty good, and a root excavation if needed. A microphone taped to the tree and laptop with a tone evaluation would be better. Kind of like seismic testing for oil. Not sure if this has been perfected yet.

 

[RGus]

Just to note that the national christmas tree is not located on the white house grounds, it is located across the street from the white house.

I am pretty sure that Davey has the contract to maintain the white house grounds. I couldnt imagine the background checks that would be needed to get behind the fence and trim a few trees.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

You're right...look at the map:

http://maps.google.com/maphp?hl=en&tab=wl&q=

When I watch the video of the tree it sure looks like there was some decay in the trunk. Looking at the fractures reminds me of what I've seen when trees fail from having cracks and internal decay. This is very much 'sidewalk engineering' sitting here two time zones away!